Connecticut clubs slowly move to snuff out smoking

Members-only private clubs are experimenting with non-smoking areas, nine years after the Connecticut General Assembly exempted the organizations from a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.

Members-only private clubs are experimenting with non-smoking areas, nine years after the Connecticut General Assembly exempted the organizations from a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.

The Republican American reports that beginning earlier this year, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Club designated nonsmoking during lunch on Saturdays.

The Torrington Elks club has designated a smoke-free Saturday once a month. The group tested a few nonsmoking nights over the past two years to gauge whether business would drop. It didn't and now smoking is prohibited regularly at night.

And beginning in May, Waterbury Elks began a nonsmoking time from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.

Terry Ford, president of the Elks in Connecticut, said he's seen Elks clubs across the state adopt nonsmoking rules slowly.